Religion

• Religion– System of roles and norms organized

around the sacred realm that binds people together in social groups

• What does “sacred” mean?• Things take on sacred meaning only

when they are socially defined as such by a group of believers

• What one society believes as sacred another may view as profane

Sociologists focus on the social characteristics of religion and the consequences that religion has

for society.

A. Social Cohesion– The strengthening of bonds among

people– Creates a sense of belonging– Serves as an anchor to society– Provides support and purpose– Religion can create conflict in

societies where there are more than one religion practiced

The Function of Religion

Example of Social Cohesion:

Durkheim found that suicide rates were lower among those with

strong attachments to religious groups

The Function of Religion

B. Social Control– Encouraging conformity to the norms of

society– Norms and values may be reinforced

through religious doctrine– The Bible, Torah and Qur’an give divine

purpose to conformity– May maintain a control over behavior

by providing a standard by which individuals may judge themselves and be judged by other people

The Function of Religion

C. Emotional Support– Helps people endure disappointment

and suffering with the belief that there is a special purpose (“Everything happens for a reason.”)

– Attempts to provide answers to those questions that cannot be provided by science or common sense (“What happens when we die?”)

The Function of Religion

A. Rituals and Symbols– Rituals

• An established pattern of behavior through which a group of believers experience the sacred

– Ritualistic behavior is a part of every religion

– Often used to mark change in status– Used to unite believers and

reinforce faith

The Nature of Religion

Example of Rituals:

In the Christian faith, baptism and the taking of communion are

rituals.In the Catholic faith, confirmation

is an example of a ritual.

The Function of Religion

B. Belief Systems – 3 basic types1. Animism

• Belief system in which spirits are active in influencing human life

• Spirits are not worshipped as gods, but seen as supernatural forces that can be used to human advantage

a. Shamanism– Belief system in which spirits

communicate only with one person acknowledged as a specialist

The Nature of Religion

Shamanism cont.– A shaman is believed to

communicate with the spirits either speaking to them directly or by making his/her soul leave the body and enter the spirit world

– Shamans are believed they can heal the sick, predict the future and see events happening far away

The Nature of Religion

b. Totemism– Belief in kinship between humans and

animals or natural objects– The totem is the animal or object

viewed as sacred– Thought to represent a family or clan

and their ancestors– Totem is treated with awe and respect– No one is allowed to hurt, eat, kill or

even touch it– Are seen as protectors who watch over

the group

The Nature of Religion

2. Theism• Belief in a god or gods• The god is considered a divine power

worthy of worshipa. Monotheism

– Belief in one god– All contain an organizational

structure, sacred writings, worship rituals and organized priesthood or ministry

– Ex. Judaism, Christianity and Islam

The Nature of Religion

b. Polytheism– Belief in a number of gods– Usually center on one powerful god

who has control over a number of lesser gods

– The lesser gods are thought to have their own separate spheres of influence.

– Controlling things such as harvests, childbirth and earthquake

– Ex. Hinduism, Greek mythology

The Nature of Religion

3. Ethicalism• Belief system in which moral principles

have a sacred quality• Based on a set of principles such as

truth, honor and tolerance that serves as a guide to living a righteous life

• Ex. Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism• Involves meditation and purity of

thought and action• The goal is for followers to reach their

highest potential

The Nature of Religion

C. Organizational Structure – four types1. Ecclesia

• Type of religious organization in which all people in the society are members by virtue of their birth

• The state church is closely allied with the government

• Structured bureaucratic organization, officials are highly trained and wield considerable power

The Nature of Religion

Ecclesia cont.• Ceremonies tend to be very

formal and follow well-established procedures

• Do not tolerate religious differences and make membership a matter of law

• Ex. Fundamentalist Islam in Iran

The Nature of Religion

2.Denomination• Well-established religious

organization in which a substantial portion of the population are members

• Formal bureaucratic structures with trained officials

• Hold strongly to their own beliefs

The Nature of Religion

Denomination cont.• Tend to be tolerant,

acknowledging the rights of others to hold beliefs that differ than their own

• Many are born into their denomination, but converts are welcome

• Ex. Presbyterian Church and Baptist Church

The Nature of Religion

3. Sect• Relatively small religious

organization that typically has split off from a denomination because of doctrinal differences

• Tend to claim exclusive access to religious truth and are often intolerant of other faiths

• Tend to be hostile toward the existing power structure, seeing it as corrupt and worldly

The Nature of Religion

Sect cont.• Encourage displays of emotions

and spontaneity such as clapping, dancing, singing and shouting

• Encourage active recruitment of new members

• Many are short-lived• Former sects (like the Methodist

Church) can become denominations

• Ex. Jehovah’s Witness, Hassidic Jews

The Nature of Religion

4. Cult• Religious group founded on the

revelations of a person believed to have special knowledge

• Leaders are charismatic figures who appear to have extraordinary qualities

• Followers are attracted to the leader as much as the message

• Followers are disillusioned by traditional religion and by life in general

The Nature of Religion

Cult cont.• May totally give themselves

to the cult and reject the rest of society, including friends and family

• Most are short-lived• Their beliefs are too different

for the majority of people in a society to accept

• Ex. Jonestown, Heaven’s Gate

The Nature of Religion

Though dubbed a "massacre," what transpired at Jonestown on November 18, 1978, was to some extent done willingly, making the mass suicide all the more disturbing. The Jonestown cult (officially named the "People's Temple") was founded in 1955 by Indianapolis preacher James Jones.Jones's 912 followers were given a deadly concoction of a purple drink mixed with cyanide, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Jones apparently shot himself in the head.

Heaven's Gate is a destructive, doomsday cult centered in California. 21 women and 18 men voluntarily committed suicide in three groups on three successive days starting on March 23, 1997